Most of you must have read it already as its been a few days. Its a shocking news that Ashoka Desilva, Gamini Silva and most other top umpires from Srilanka failed a written examination conducted by their board. This exam was to pick Srilanka's representative at ICC's elite panel.

I am not only surprised, biut shocked. I think ICC should frequesntly keep testing these umpires to ensure that they are updated on theoritical knowledge and have the concentration level to do the job all day long for five days. I always thought that most 'obviously bad decisions' come from lapse in concentration but this shocking incident brings the possibility of lack of knowledge as well.

We saw a drama at the end of the world cup which was basically due to lack of knowledge only. I want to see if it makes any difference to the way ICC selects and trains umpires.


http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/05/28/sports/10.asp

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My computer can beat me at chess.....but its no match for me at kick boxing.

To be honest it doesn't surprise me that de Silva's failed this test - he's always struck me as slightly incompetant and obviously not up to international quality. If this failure ensures that he doesn't umpire at first-class level at least until he's learnt the workings to a suitable level, then that can only be a good thing.

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"Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose."
- Ayrton Senna